Preview: Bristol City vs. Sunderland - prediction, team news, lineups

Sunderland make the trip to Bristol City on Saturday looking to continue their recent resurgence and remain in the top six of the Championship standings.

In sharp contrast, the home side are struggling to make an impact under new management, with the club now down in 15th after a four-game winless streak.

Match preview

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Parting ways with Tony Mowbray ahead of home fixtures against West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United looked a questionable move from Sunderland's owners.

However, it has proven to be a masterstroke as the Black Cats have prevailed 2-1 and 1-0 - Jobe Bellingham netting the winner in the latter - respectively against clubs who they will consider rivals for the playoffs.

Interim boss Mike Dodds is unlikely to be handed the reins on a permanent basis, yet he has brought life back to a team that had posted two victories from their previous nine.

While just three points separates them to 11th position, Sunderland currently hold sixth, and there is a chance to strengthen their current standing with a third win in succession.

On the flip side, though, Sunderland are without an away success in five games, something that will not go unnoticed by a Bristol City desperate for a return to form.

Liam Manning had made a strong start as the club's new head coach but the Robins are now on a run of four Championship fixtures without success.

Although a 1-1 draw at Huddersfield Town at the weekend felt like a step in the right direction, losing 2-1 at Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday was their third loss by a one-goal margin in four games.

Aside from the recent 3-2 win over Middlesbrough, Bristol City have not scored more than twice in a game since September 23, and just 13 strikes have come in 10 league games at Ashton Gate.

They are also without a clean sheet in five games, and it is a combination which will not work for Manning if he wants to avoid the second half of the campaign becoming focused on avoiding relegation.

Team News

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Manning must decide whether to stick with a back four - rather than switch to a three - and how much he tinkers with a side that lost in midweek.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Andreas Weimann are most likely to come into the team, potentially at the expensive of Joe Williams and Sam Bell.

With Nahki Wells still an injury doubt, Anis Mehmeti and Harry Cornick are both options to replace Tommy Conway in attack.

Sunderland's extra rest day may make it an easier decision for Dodds to select an unchanged starting lineup.

Patrick Roberts and Bradley Dack are both options for the final third if Dodds wants to introduce fresh legs, but the likes of Ajibola Alese and Dennis Cirkin remain sidelined.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Dickie, Pring; Weimann, James, Gardner-Hickman, Sykes; Knight; Conway

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Patterson; Seelt, Ballard, O'Nien; Hume, Bellingham, Neil, Huggins; Ba, Pritchard, Clarke

We say: Bristol City 1-2 Sunderland

There is enough quality in the Bristol City ranks and vulnerability in Sunderland's for a home win to occur at the weekend. However, the Black Cats are currently finding something extra, and we feel that they could rally in the second half to claim another impressive victory.

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